Binder mechanism



NOV. I4, 19391. H, AUBURN 2,179,874

BINDER MECHANISM Filed Feb. 3, 1958 Patented Nov. 14, 1939 lf- F F i EBINDER MECHANISM Hubert Auburn, Mount Healthy, Ohio, assigner to TheTenacity Manufacturing Co., Lockland, 10h10, a corporation of OhioApplication February 3, 1988, Serial No. 188,536

2 Claims.

This invention relates to binders of the general character shown in myPatents 1,890,139, 1,891,037 and 2,017,934.

An object of the invention is to provide a device of that generalcharacter, provided with means for automatically connecting the posts ofthe binder and the latch means ordinarily provided in such devices, forattaching the posts to the back and cover members of the binder.

Another object is to provide means for effecting automatic connection ofthe posts and binder parts, and which do not require closing of the bookor binder for attaining such automatic connection, and which means arenot intended to effect automatic connection of such parts of a binder,incidental to closing of the book or binder. Thus, there is obviated thepossibility of any one using a binder, being deceived into thinkingthatthe said book parts are secured, whereas in fact, as happens frequentlyin'practice, the parts do not function properly, for various reasons,with the result that the unsecured posts permit the contents of the bookto fall from the book, with resultant confusion of the pages that detachthemselves from the posts, if the posts are not secured as intended, andthe book should be so handled that the weight of the contents or leavesof the binder is directed upon the unsecured posts. In other words,while it is intended to provide means for automatic connection betweenthe posts and binder parts, yet a positive and intentional relativemovement of the posts and cooperative parts is required for attainingsuch automatic action.

Another object is to provide means for the purposes stated, that willgive an effective and substantial connection of the indicated parts, asdistinguished from prior art` devices intended generally to accomplishsimilar automatic connection of such parts, but in which the parts,after initial connection, require a further manual operation forproviding an effective connection of the parts, adapted to withstand theordinary usage to which such devices are subjected. It is thereforeintended to obviate the disastrous consequences, often attendant uponuse of such prior art devices, when the user thereof fails to supply theadditional manual operation referred to, after the making of the iirstand inadequate automatic connection of the indicated parts.

Another object is to provide simple and efcient means for attaining theindicated results.

ri"hese and other objects are attained by the means described herein anddisclosed in the accompanying drawing, in which:

within the housing I2.

(Cl. 12B-24) Fig. 1 is a fragmental end elevational View, showing abinder of the character referred to, and embodying the invention.

Fig. 2 is an lenlarged longitudinal sectional view of a casing showingoperating parts, and 5' forming details of the invention.

Fig. 3 is an enlargedsectional View, on line 3-3 of Fig. 2.

' Fig. 4 is a sectional view on line 4-4 of Fig. 3.

As shown in the accompanying drawing, the 10:

back I0 comprises a meta-l plate II, which serves as a foundation ormounting member` for a pair of fixed yinverted U-shaped hollow metalhousings l2 and I3. The housings, their method of attachment and theparts `associated and cooperating with each of them may be identical,wherefore an explanation of one such housing and its associated partswill be given.

Each of the arms Itand I5 of the inverted U-shaped housing I2 isprovided along its edge, 20 with spaced lugs i5 and I'I which areinserted in spaced complementary slots I8 and I9 and are turned over asshown in Fig. 3, for mounting the housing on the plate II.

An elongated iiat bar 2l is positioned within 25 the lower part ofchamber 2l) which is formed The bar 2| may be termed a cam bar or anactuating bar, inasmuch as its function is to operate certain partsassociated with ther post holding pintles 24 and 25, 30 which in turnmay engage and retain the posts 23. A shell or casing 22 comprising abottom 5I, side walls 52 and 53 and end walls 54 and 55 which terminatein outwardly extending lips 56 i and 5'I, is positioned within the upperpart of 35 chamber 2i) by any suitable means such as by spot welding orby rivets which may extend through lips 56 and 51 and the upper edge ofhousing I2.

The cam bar 2| is provided at intervals with 40 cam faces 2S, shownherein as inclined faces, adapted to cooperate with a wedge 2lcomprising a pin-like extension 28 extending through an aperture 29 inthe bottom 5I of housing 22 and riding upon the cam face 26. 4 The wedgebody 30 cooperates with inclined faces 3i and 32 formed on pintle blocks33 and 34 respectively, and which blocks comprise the pintles 2li and25, respectively. Springs 35 and 50 35, shown herein as coils orspirals, but which may be of any other type or form, operate upon theblocks 33 and 34, respectively, and yieldingly urge the blocks towardone another. The arrangement of blocks, wedge, etc., may be positionedin the interiorof housing 22 as clearly shown in Fig. 2.

A separate shell arrangement may be provided for each post, of Whichthere are generally four or more provided for each binder. Theshell-like arrangement permits each set of pintles, springs and wedge tobe fabricated as a complete unit, each of Which may be introducedseparately into the housing and be secured in proper position Within thehousing. Thus assembly of the pintle blocks and their cooperating parts,as Well as y the assembly of such units With the housing, may

be simplified and expedited. Incidentally, the housings I2 and I3 serveas supports for the posts, when the various parts'of the binder areassembled in their normal positions.

The pintles 24 and 25 are normally disposed at the registering openings4| and 42 provided in the housing l2 and shell 22, respectively, andinto which openings the post extends for engagement With the pintles.The outwardly exposed faces 3 of the pintles are inclined so they willcooperate With the rounded edges 44 of the post for retracting thepintles, against the yielding resistance of the springs. The saidinclined or tapered portions of theipintles are sufficiently long that asubstantial portion of each one of a pair of pintles associated Witheach post, Will provide an adequate and substantial bearing and supportfor the post, at both sides of the post. Thus, any canting of the postis prevented.

In the operation ofthe device, movement of the cam bar in one directionforces the Wedge upwardly between the pintle blocks, thus separating thepintles and releasing the post. I f desired, a spring 45, havingconnection with the cam bar and housing, yieldingly retains the cam barin its normal position. When it is desired to secure the posts by thepntles, the rounded ends of the posts, which incidentally register Withthe respective openings provided therefor in the housing, are pressedagainst the pintles. The pintles, acting under such pressure and theyielding influence of their associated springs, automatically secure theposts.

What is claimed is:

1. In a device of the class described the combination of a bindercomprising a support of a Width exceeding its thickness, and havingnotches in the edge thereof, and posts for cooperation with the edgenotches of the support, a pair of spaced pintle blocks located withinthe support, in coplanar relationship, and including pintles for eachpost, each pair of pintles being exposed through a single edge notch forengaging their respective posts, and cooperating means associat-ed Withthe posts and pintles for automatically engaging the pintles With theirrespective posts, incident to movement of the posts into the edgenotches of the support member.

2; In a device of the class described the combination of a bindercomprising a support of a Width exceeding its thickness, and havingnotches in the edge thereof, and posts for cooperation with the edgenotches of the support, a pair of spaced pintle blocks located Withinthe support, in coplanar relationship, and including pintles for eachpost, each pair-of pintles being exposed through a single edge notch forengaging their respective posts, cooperating means associated with theposts and pintles for automatically engaging the pintles with theirrespective posts, incident to movement of the posts into the edgenotches of the support member and manually operable means for separatingthe pintles for releasing the posts.

HUBERT AUBURN.

